Fishing reel



W. WILLMAN Nov. 28, 1950 FISHING REEL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 5, 1947 l N V EN TOR. /QZ/f @2l/zam Nov. 28, 1950 w. wlLLMAN 2,531,929

FISHING REEL Filed March 5, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 28, 1950 FISHING REEL Walter Willman, St. Petersburg, Fla., assigner to James Heddons Sons, Dowagiac, Mich.,l a corporation of Michigan Application March 5, 1947, Serial No. 732,617

This invention is concerned with a fishing reel of the type which utilizes at one end a head plate in the form of an annular ring providing a mounting for a cap plate assembly which'includes a closure plate adapted to t into and cover the opening in the head plate. By some such means protection is furnished to the gear train and other operating parts which may be carried by the cap plate assembly which, as a unit, is removably secured to the head plate. The particular features of invention with which I am here concerned relate primarily to the means whereby the cap plate and its assembly of parts may be securely locked to the head plate, yet ber readily unlocked therefrom when occasion may require, to permit removal of the cap plate assemblyfrom the reel, thereby to facilitate adl justment, repair, or replacement of any of the operating parts, as required.

Certain suggestive embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of the reel in its entirety, showing assembled therewith the cap plate whose assembly of parts is enclosed within the space between itself and the head plate to which it is secured;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the reel, taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective showing the closure plate supported from the inner side of the cap plate;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail in section, taken in the same plane as Fig. 2, showing the closure plate'of the cap plate assembly spaced slightly from the head plate of the revel;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail in section, taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a view inend elevation looking toward the cap plate, a portion whereof is broken away to exhibit the closure plate to the inside thereof;

Fig. 'I is a view in perspective of one of the locking disks that may be employed to secure the cap plate assembly to the reel; v

Fig. 8 is a transverse section through the locking disk.

Fig. 9 which is a transverse section, taken on line 9 9 of Fig. l0, shows a locking means ci modified construction;

Fig. l0 is a view in section, taken on line lil-iii of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a detail in perspective of the locking means shown in Figs. 9 and 10;

Fig. 12 which is a view in end eleva-tion looking 7 Claims. (Cl. 242-841) the head plate 25 whereby to become fixed rigidly toward the cap plate shows va further modified construction of locking means;

Fig. 13 is a detail in section, taken on line IIS-I3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a view in perspective of the locking means per se shown in Figs' 12 and 13;

Fig. 'l5-which is a view similar to Fig. 9 showsl a locking means of still different'construction; Fig. 16 is a vie'w in section'taken on line llid6 r of Fig. 15; and

Fig. 17 is a view in perspective of the locking means shown in Figs. 15 and 16.

The principal operating units of the present"r reel may be of any conventional type,l either For purposes of illustration, I have chosen a relatively simple type of reel comprising the usual clip plate 2G which may be'carried by a pair of lower pillars 2i which, in conjunction with a side pillar 22 (one or more) and a top pillar 23,

the outer facel of the head plate.

AS shown in Fig. 5, there is extended axially into each pillar neck, from its outer end, 'a-

threaded socket wherein may engagea threaded stemv 28 which extends axially from the inner end of a spacer post 29 of increased diameter, this post being shown as formed with a transverse hole 33 through which may be entered a small implement to apply a rotary force thereto. When the post is turned to advance its stem within the pillar socket, the inner 'end of the post will be brought home against the outer face of with respect thereto. The outer end of each spacer post is shouldered inwardly to provide" a reduced neck 3| which may be closely iitted within a registering hole in a cap plate 32. The

end ci this neck which terminates substantiallyush with the outer face ofY the cap plate,A is

adapted to withdraw freely from the hole 32l outer cap) plate being removable from the spacer posts and the latter being removable from the pillars, whenever disassembly is to be performed. A peripheral shoulder may be formed around the cap plate and screw threads around the periphery of the head plate so that a cap ring 36 having a ilange 31 may be fitted around both plates, the ii'ange.` being adaptedi to seat itself; against the shoulder'B. Screw threads 381' are formed interiorly of the cap ring for engagement with the peripheral threads of the head plata whereby to cause the cap ring, when rotatedito,I advance axially with pressure against the cap plate where it normallyr remainsduringfuseofi the reel. cap ring to the operating parts enclosed thereby is a feature that is more fullyQ-dealt with-immy Patent No. 2,391,935 of January l, 1946.

The cap plate in conjunction with the tailplate supports opposite bearings di) and 4| for the spindlev 42 of a spool' 43@ having opposite end" ilanges 44 of circular contour. Thesebearings arev oifany` conventional type, so neednot be described in detail.

Formedfthrough the annular head plate 25, and slightly misaligned with. respect.v to its: axis, is the large circulan' opening` d5 whichv gives. it the characteristicsv ci" afY ring: Within? this annular: ring maybe accommodated as closure plate 46 having, if desired, a peripheral shoulder 4T: which. liesoppostefthe outturned periphery ofthefproximate spool flange Ml Thefclosure plate-is carried xedly-by the cap plate 32,` asthrough the medium off threeA or more screws1 whose-heads d@ overlie the outerv face-ofthe capplate; theshanksfllg` of these screws: passing. through the; cap plate to: engage iixedly with the: closure.: plateY which is'. maintained a fixed dista-nce away from the cap,Y plate:4 by spacer' sleeves. 59- which. surround the screw Shanks.

In this construction the closure plate, although closely tting into and substantially. covering the headplate opening. iscarried by the cap plate 32.' through. the medium` of theEthree-point support just' notedi The cap plateprovides a mount'- ingfor a suitabletrain of gearing g whichtransmits'motion from: an operating handle 5l to the spool'spindl'e- 431m thefusual manner. If desired', the closure plate may also serve as an anchorage for one' or more studs or bearings included in the gearing. The details of the bearings and'gearY train may be variedor modied along conventional lines. Theicap'and=closureparts, together with the operatingparts carried by one or both of? them. constitute.` in effect, a single unit which, when secured to the reel frame, is in driving re lation with the reel` therein. This relationship is maintained by certainlocking means shortly to be explained in detail, but.V may bek readily broken, whenever occasionV requires, whereby to ai'ord exposure of and access to the operating parts of the reel;

I have provided a noveland improved means for locking to the reel framework the cap plate assembly, i. e. the capand-closure plates together with the parts mounted thereon. This locking. means, as shown in Fig. 6, may comprise a pair of" knurled crescent disks' 55 each extending through the major part of a circle-to join with opposite ends oi.y a concave face dwhose curvature is substantially, coincident with the periphery oftheclosure plate. Two such disks are desirably employed, arranged on opposite sidesof. thereel axsl Each disk is rotatably aixedto the head The protection thus afforded bythe` 115;r

plate 25 as by means of a threaded stud 51 which is entered into an axial opening therein. This stud may be provided with an enlarged cylindrical body 58 whereon the disk 55 is rotatably supported, and with a slotted head 59 in engagement with the outer face of the disk. The length of the stud body 58 is such as to provide a spacer which? willassure, to opposite faces,` ofthe disk freedom from pressure contact from' the stud head 59 and from the head plate 25.

Each disk which lies to the inside of the cap ring. 3,6 is so located that its arcuate face 58 may just clear the periphery of the closure plate 46 when the=diskissrotated to the position that is indicatednear theetop of Fig, 6. When both disks areisoadjustedf, thecap plate assembly is free for axiaLmovement'. so, as to be removable from the reel framework. The normal locking position is indicatedf by the disk 55 which is shown near the bottom of Fig. 6. Here its convex peripheral pdrtioniis extended inspart over fthe closure :plate Mj sof as` tow engageftherewith; Separation of; thev cap plate assembly wherrbothdisks aredntheir-V looking position is, therefore, eiiectivelyl pre1- vented'; The-twowdisksare-accessible for Amanipulation whenever the cap ring 35: is removed. No; toolsnare 'required in this operation,

It is-.important.that each-disk, when adjusted.- to ,lockingposition,A normally f remain;l so. 'I'oac complishthis I provide-in eachdisk a socket 6| extending' into its-body. from its inner" face; this socket accommodating a1 compression.- spr-ing; 62; whichis normally projected toward. the head: plate 2?n for;- engagementtherewith. The frie-k tion; thus provided byfthis'v spring engaging:v the; head1plate issuiiicientto holdthedisk in.what\ ever rotative` positionr it.: may then occupy except. when ari-overpoweringforcev is applied tofrota-te. it to a different position;

IN havefalsoprovided means whereby to limit themovements ofj each disky between its locking and unlocking positions. For this purposethe disk may becformedwithfan:arcuate slot 65,opening; upon theinnerfaceof the` disk, to--receive aL pin S6 which-is. anchored in the-head plate 25.- to projectzoutwardly therefrom. This pinacts to limit rotation of the disk between theltvvo.A positionsfshownin Fig;y 6inone of which-the disk periphery is clearof. the-closure plate and-i in theE otherof which it isengaged therewith. It is manifest that manipulationby the ringer. ora small tool will serve to rotate each lockingfdisls to its fully lockedfposition, or vice versa, and that wheneither ofthese positionshas been reached theiuserwill be definitely apprised ofv thatfact;

The particular means 1for locking the cap platel assembly to thereel may be variously modified, as indicated in Figs. 9-17 inclusive. Three-suggestiveformsof locking devices are shown and will nowhe described. It is to be understood that any of these forms may, be employed with a reel of the general type which has been shown andV described in connection with Figs. 1 6'.

According'to Figs. 9-11, I may employ a pair of generally triangulanrockerplates 15 each having in'itsbody'aholelthrough which may be entered the cylindrical body 'I1 of a threaded stud I8 whichis anchoredtolthe head plate 25i The stud body carries a head 'I9V in spaced relation to the rocker plate '.15 and therebetween a coiledspring 8G which-.exerts opposing `thrusts on the plate and stud head. Each rocker plate is formed: with. a nose 3| extending inwardly, also with a pair oi spaced ears 82 and 83Y which upstand from itsfbase or outer edge to lie adjacentthe inner face lof the cap ring 36. When this ring is applied in place, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, there will be substantial engagement of both these ears with the cap ring, thus preventing any swinging movement of the rocker plate from its locking position. By some such means as this, the rocker plate is normally maintained in overlying relation to the closure plate of the head plate assembly. So long as either (or both) rocker plate remains in locking position the cap plate assembly is held securely locked to the reel frame. By removal of the cap ring, however, each rocker plate may be shifted to a different rotative position wherein its nose 8l is free of the closure plate; when this is done, the

cap plate assembly may be detached as a unit. It ispreferred that two such rocker plates be employed, each to be located at a point substantially opposite the other relative to the axis of the reel.

According to the showing of Figs. 12-14, two locking pins are arranged at substantially opposite sides of the reel, each pin having a cylindrical body 85 which is journaled for'rotation within an opening through the cap plate 32. .At the outer end of the pin is a knurled head 86 having a shoulder 8l adjacent its inner face. This shoulder is adapted to abut the outer face of the cap plate 32 so as to maintain the knurled head in spaced relation thereto. The inner end of the cylindrical body 85 may be reduced in diameter to provide a stud 88 which is threaded for engagement within a similarly formed opening in the head plate 25. When the locking pin is rotated to advance its threaded stud into operative engagement with the head plate, an axial pressure will be exerted upon the outer face of the cap plate 32 so as to lock the one to the other. Axial movement of the cap plate is arrested when it is seated on the shoulders at the bases of the necks 3! of the several spacer posts 29. Extending around the pin body S5 is a groove 89 wherein is tted a split spring ring 89a whose outside diameter is sufficiently great to serve as a stop whereby to prevent axial movement of the locking pin outwardly through the cap plate. This stop ring is spaced from the shoulder 81 a distance sucient to permit of limited axial movement of the locking pin whereby it may be manipulated into engaging relation with the coacting opening in the head plate. By this arrangement the two locking pins as per the construction of Figs. 12-14, r.

In Figs. 15-17 I have suggested still another l' form of locking means that may be employed to secure the cap plate assembly to the reel frame. As shown, this comprises a plurality of axially socketed studs S0 anchored to the head plate 25, each projecting therefrom toward the cam plate 32 to serve as a spacer therefor. The open socketed end of each stud faces toward the cap plate to receive therein a post 9| which is anchored iixediy to the cap plate. When the cap plate assembly is secured to the reel frame, the posts and studs will be intertted, as shownbest in Fig. 16. To prevent normal separation of each post from its cooperating stud I may employ a wire spring having at one end a free arm 92 which is adapted to lie within an arcuate slot 93 formed through the wall of the stud. The spring is formed with a coil Srl which surrounds an anchoring pin 95 whereby the spring is carried by the head plate 25.

' a fixed position relative to the reel frame.

Desirably two of these locking devices are employed, arranged at points about opposite each other relative to the axis of the reel. The spring arm 92 in each case normally remains fitted Within the stud slot 93 in a position to be engaged by the post 9i when entered therewithin. This post is provided with a circumferential groove 96 which is disposed at a point opposite the slot 93 when the post has been fully entered within the socket. The free end of the wire spring then engages the post groove to serve as a detent whereby to prevent normal axial movement of the post outwardly from the socketed stud. In some such way as this, the locking devices of Figs. 15--17 operate to hold the cap plate assembly in The cap ring 35, when screwed home to its final position, supplements this locking action.

It is a feature of this invention that I have provided a simple, yet readily manipulatable, means requiring no tool for its operation, whereby to free the cap plate assembly for removal from the reel framework. By the same token, the cap plate assembly may be readily locked to the reel framework when applied thereto. The operating parts for the reel remain fully protected within the enclosed space between the head and cap plates, yet are readily exposed to View, or made accessible for attention, whenever the cap plate assembly is removed from the reel. Any operation of adjustment, lubrication, or cleaning of the reel mechanism must ofttimes be performed when there is no tool available or opportunity to use shop facilities, consequently the arrangement herein disclosed is advantageous because it permits facile attention to the reel mechanism whenever and wherever the occasion may require. The important factor of a secure lock whereby the cap plate assembly is maintained remaining so.

securely in operative position upon the reel frame, is adequately met by the simple yet effective means provided for locking the one to the other. Once secured in operative position, there need be no concern about the cap plate assembly Particularly is this true in the case of the rocker plate lock which is positively held in its locking position so long as the cap ring remains applied in place.

I claim:

l. In a fishing reel of the type which includes an annular head plate and as a separate unit a cap plate assembly having a closure plate adapted to be tted Within the confines of the opening in the head plate: means for locking the closure plate to the head plate comprising a crescent disk pivotally mounted on the head plate and movable from one position in which the concave face of the disk is clear of the closure plate to a second position in which one of the tips of the crescent disk is engaged with the closure plate to lsecure the same fixedly in its fitted position upon the head plate.

2. In a fishing reel of the type which includes an annular head plate and as a separate unit ta cap plate assembly having a closure plate adapted to be tted Within the connes of the opening in the head plate: means for locking the closure plate to the head plate comprising a crescent disk pivotally mounted on the head plate and movable from one position in which the concave face of the disk is clear of the closure plate to a second position in which one of the tips ofthe crescent disk is engaged with the closure plate to secure the same xedly in its fitted position upon the head plate, and spring meeneem.

friction-l means; interposedlbetweena the 1 disk and headplataim resisting. movement; of: the disk..

positionV within. the headA plate. openingl andY means independentoi; the. cap ringfcr locking the cap-plate assembly to'the'headplate com-- prising anelement carriedby theheadfplate and mounted for movement thereon between twopositions in one otwhichit'advances to engagewith theaclosnreplateto maintain the -same iixedly in fitted; relation with the head plate and in the other/oi which it recedes to disengage from the.

closure plateftoffree thesametogether with the remain-ing.; partsof the cap plateassembly foraxial movement away from the -head plate.-

lr In a fishing reeLof the type Which includes` anannular headrplate. and-as a separate unit a. capplate assembly. having afclosure plate adaptedv tope-fitted in a predetermined position within,

thefopening oi the head plate together with a, capringin screw threadedengagement with the head-plateand in abutting engagement with the. capplate adaptedV when rotatively advancedto maintainthe closureY plate in a predetermined position within. the head plate opening, means.

independent of thecap ring'for locking the cap plateassembly tothe head` platecomprising an elementv carried by the head plateand mounted for. movement thereonbetween two positionsin.

one of whichv it. advances.. to engagev with'. the closure. plate. to maintain the same Xedly in fitted relation. withthe head. plate and inthe..

other of whichitrecedesto disengage fromthe.-

closure plate toiree the same together` with the. remaining par-ts of. the cap-platev assembly for. axial movementaway from. the headplate, and.. meansiorming.- part of the locking` element arrangedto` lieladjacent. the inner face of the cap.

ring when the locking element is moved into=en gagement with the closure plate to prevent rev cession. of the locking element to disengaging I position relative thereto- 5. In a shing. reel of the type which includes anannular, head. plate and as a. separate unit aA cap plate assembly having a closure plate adapted. to be tted in a predetermined position within the opening of the head plate together with a cap ring inscrew threaded engagement with the head plate and in abutting xedly in iitted relationwith thehead plate andinthe .other yof which it. recedes to disengage from theclosureplate to free the same together with the remaining parts of. the capplate assembly for. axial.Y movement away from the head plate; limit stops for, arresting movement of thelocking element when ineitherof its'twospecied positions,l and; spring frictiony means. interposed. be

8. tweenthelccking element and head" plataforma.y sisting. movement oithelocking element away' from either position.

6. In aishing reel of the type which includes an annular. headlplateand. as a separate unita.

cap plate assemblyhaving aclosure plate adapted. to..be1iitted in a.. predetermined position within. theopening of the head plate together with aca-p...

ring@ in. screw threadedv engagement with the. headplateand inabutting engagement with thecaprplate adapted when rotatively advanced to maintain the closure. plate in a predetermined` position within. the head plate opening, means. independent. off the vcap .ring for locking; thee cap-i plate-assemblyA to the headplate comprising an:

element: carried by-the .headzr plate and mounted.. for. movement thereon between twov positions inl onepfwhichit advances to engage withtheclo-` sure: plate tomaintainthe. same xedly. in fitted relatioplw-ith the head plate andin the. other of;

which. it` recedes to disengage from the closure.

platetoireethe: same together with theremaina. ing. parts of: the cap plate assembly for axial; movement away. from the head plate, means forming.. part-.of the locking element arranged toxli'e adjacent the inner face of the cap ring. whenthe locking element .is moved into engage-1` ment withthe closure plate to .prevent recession. oi; thev locking. element to. disengaging. position.V relative. thereto, and spring: friction means inen-A gagement with the. locking. element for resiste. ingamevementiv thereof Vfrom a selected .position of.- adjustment..

7. Ina-.fishing reelzopthetype whichincludes.

l anannular head-.platelandas aseparate unit av capi plate assembly having a closure plate.

adaptedto. be fttedfin apredetermined position. withinthe opening of.` theihead plate together. with. a. cap. ring in screwfthreaded engagement witlrthe head plateand-inabutting engagementz` with the cap. .plate adapted. whenrotativelyad vanced.=to..1naintain the closure plate in apredeterminedposition within the headk plate. open? ing, means independent-of the capring for lock.-v ing. the cap plate assembly to the head plate comprising an element; pivotally carried. by the head: plate andmounted for swinging movement thereon between twopositionsin one of which, itt advances to engage with the closure plate to. maintainthesame dxedly in tted relation with theheadplateand in the other. of which it recedes. tddisengage. from. the closure plate to free the. sameztogetlfier, with. the remaining parts of. the cap, plate assembly for axial movement away.

lfrom the head plate, and means on the locking@- element` remote from the inwardly extending meansyadapted to lie adjacent the inner face of. thek cap ring, when the locking element is movedintos position. forV engagement with the closureplate;Y to.=prevent. disengagement of the inwardlyextendingmeansof the locking element from thev closure plate.

WALTER WILLMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in theileof this patent:

UN'IEDV STATES PATENTS Number Name Date '732i`130j Hendryxf Feb. 7, 19.0.5 1,321.234. carter Nov. 11, 1919. Leal-,1.29 Scott Nov. 20, 1934i 3,409,154 Schafer Oct. 85.1946: 

